Objective: To evaluate the treatment indications, effectiveness and adverse events of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus using data from a registry at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Methods: The registry included patients with type 1 diabetes who had converted from multiple daily injection (MDI) to CSII. Patients with complete data sets covering a period of ≥3 years were included in the study (n=184). Complications, glycaemic control and insulin dose during CSII were compared with data obtained during MDI.
Results: CSII resulted in significant reductions in glycosyated haemoglobin level and total daily insulin dose. The mean number of severe hypoglycaemic episodes during CSII was 0.17 per patient per year.
Conclusions: Treatment of adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus by CSII can improve glycaemic control and reduce insulin requirements compared with MDI, however patient selection, education and continuous care are important parts of this therapy.